Flexible reflex reflecting film



sm 17, 1947. M, H, PHWPP'I 2,422,256

FLEKBLE REFLEX REFLEC'TINGr'FIIILJv 4 Original Filed Feb; 13, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hl n a5 sa i0/ (3 FIG. u.- km

@a El@ Jane 17, .1947.

M. H. PHILLIPP! FLEXIBLE REFLEX REFLECTING FILM 2 sheeis-sheex 2 Original Filed Feb. 15, 1940 M\\\\\ \\Tl FIG. 7.

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52 FIG. 5C.

INVENTOR. MATTHEW mumps Patented June 17, 1947 FLEXIBLE REFLEX REFLEcTmG rmt Matthew H. Phillippi, St. Paul. Minn., assigner, y by mesnel assignments, to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company,`St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Delaware OCriginal application February 13, 1940, Serial No.

318,701. Divided and this application August 12, 1944, Serial No. 549.217

l v This application is a division of my application filed February13, 1940, Serial No. 318,701, which has1 matured into Patent 2,403,752, dated July 9, 946.

My invention relates to an improvement in flexible reflex reecting films, wherein it is desired to provide a ilexible film of reflex reflecting elements which may be used either, in the manner of a decalcomania transfer, or may be used as a coating over signs of various types.

It has been previously known that small regularly shaped elements .of transparent material such as glass, and preferably in the form of spheres, cubesand any other regularly shaped Y of applying such articles, or capable of reading s claims. (ci. ie-435) 2 and following simple directions. At the same time, the labels, signs and decalcomanias which I produce have the added brilliance and attractiveness of a hand prepared and individually -formed reflex reecting sign.

viously formed or constructed sign. Thus in order to improve the appearance of a sign already in use, it is only necessary to apply over the surface of the sign a transparent lm bearing the Y reflex reecting elements. When applied, the sign is given the same appearance as if it had geometrical figures, whose height equals the `been coated with an adhesive, and covered with diameter and the like, have been previously used the reflecting elements. This is extremely imfor attracting attention, and for decorating purportant, as it provides an inexpensive way of poses. It has further been found that by placing treating signs already in existence and which these Velements closely together, and providing a might otherwise be costly to provide a reflecting large number of such. elements, a bright reflex surface upon. 1 l reflection may be obtained. The elements may It will be understood that the application of be applied 'in any one ofva number of ways. In reflex reflecting elements to a surface requires every instance, however, the elements are atspecial knowledge and special supplies. In the tached by coating-the surface with a coating of treatment of a Sign p'eViOuSly made and SUS- adhesive, and placing the elements in contact pended @llt 0f dOOlS, it has been previously allwith the adhesive. This process, while simple, is l most essential to remove the sign and work on not always convenient. the same where the sign may be moved about for It is the object of the present invention to ease in applying the reflecting elements. With provide a film bearing reflex refiecting elements; my new exible nlm, it is only necessary to apply and to form this film flexiblev so that it may be a coating of adhesive upon the sign, and to adhere adhered to the surface of a sign or sign base. my transparent nlm bearing the reflecting ele-.- The film may be either in the form of a transments over the surface. Thus-myconstruction is parent flexible film bearing the reflex reflecting extremely advantageous for use upon previously elements; or may. if desired'be in the form of a constructed signs or displays. No special equipdecalcomania transfer. In the latter case, the ment 01 knowledge iS necessary i0 apply the lm. design is held upon a decalcomania base by a i The present process is particularly applicable suitable paste or the like; and the design is coatto flexible sheets or lms of homogeneous mateed with the reflex reiiecting elements. The rials as regenerated cellulose, cellulose derivatransfer is applied in the usual manner, the base tives, such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, being removed through the use of aisolvent for '40 nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate gelatin, casein the paste. Thus, when applied, a transfer design and synthetic or natural resins.l Such materials is provided in which the design is coated with are usually transparent, but it may be underthe reflecting elements. stood that materials which are somewhat trans- It is a purpose of my invention to provide a lucent or otherwise expressed as having one transfer decalcomania, sign, or gummed label homogeneous continuousphase, suchas Glassine, having a brilliantly visible surface thereupon may be processedasherein described. The sheets capable of attracting attention or of conveying or films may be colorless, slightly tinted, dyed,v information. Such transfers, signs and labels otherwise colored, or entirely opaque, as may be have all of the advantages commonly known to desired for the purpose for which they are to be exist for such articles; and havethe added ad- 5o employed. vantage of the brilliant reflecting surface there- It is a feature of my invention that my flexible von. Labels and decalcomanias, for example, may fllxn may be in any one of a number of forms.

be readily transported and handled; and may be My reflex reflecting elementsmay be mounted applied. by anyone familiar with the usual process upon a decalcomanla transfer, or upon a transparent flexible base, as has been described. In

addition, my film may be in the form of a gummed label. Such a gummed label may be provided with numerals, designs, letters, symbols, or combinations or such indicia which have been printed, lithographed, silk screened or hand painted on a sheet of material. The sheet may be provided with a paste or gum solution, or with a suitable glue which, when moistened, will adhere to a desired surface. Such gummed labels may be rendered extremely effective by a coating of reflex reflecting elements partially embedded in an adhesive coatingon the label.

These and other objects and novel features of' my invention will be more clearly and fully set vforth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specication:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view, in greatly enlarged form, of a decalcomania transfer showing my new construction.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a modified form of decalcomania transfer.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a clear transfer or transparent reflex reflecting film.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a clear transfer similar to that shown in Figure 3, Without the top coating thereupon.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a transfer design to be applied to a surface to be covered.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view through a decalcomania transfer having a non-continuous removable film thereon.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the transfer shown in Figure l after application, showing the relationship of the elements thereof.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective View of thetransfer illustrated. in Figure 2 of the drawings, after application thereof.

:Figure 9 is' a diagrammatic perspective view of the clear transfer shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, after application thereof.

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a highway sign. y

Figure l1 is a sectional view through a portion of the sign'of Figure 10, showing the manner in which the transfer may be applied thereto.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, I disclose a typical form of decalcomania constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention. This form of decalcomania A is provided with a backing sheet I8, which may be, and ordinarily is, a sheet of paper. The backing sheet I0 may, however, comprise a sheet of metal, Wood, Celluloid, or any one of a great number of other substances. The only requirement of such a backing. sheet is that it form a base for supporting the removable portion of the transfer.

The backing sheet I U is treated with a paste A solution. This layer of paste solution is dia- ,grammatically illustrated at Il. The paste II must be such that when moistened with a suitable solvent, it will soften and permit the removal of the transfer from the backing sheet I0. In use, the backing sheet I0 is removed from the decalcomania, and the remainder of the sign is used.

A iilm of varnish, lacquer, or other material, indicated at I2, is coated, sprayed, printed, lithographed, silk screened, or hand painted upon the paste layer II. 'Ihis film I2 may cover the entire surface of the paste layer, or may be placed thereon in a predetermined pattern. The film I2 may, of course, be printed, lithographed, silk i screened, or hand painted upon the film surface to provide a desired display. The design may be in one or numerous colors, or may be black or white. The design I3 is preferably covered with a protective coating I4, such as varnish, lacquer, or other suitable material. The protectiveA coating fills the interstices formed by the design and provides a relatively smooth Working surface.

Upon the surface of the protective coating I4, I provide a coating of adhesive I5. This adhesive may be any suitable transparent or translucent material which will form a reflective backing for the reflex reflecting elements, and which will hold these elements securely to the body of the decalcomania A. While the adhesive I5 is in a plastic state, the reflex reflecting elements II are applied in any suitable manner, these elements being partially embedded in the adhesive coating I5, and secured thereby. The reflex reiiecting elements may be formed of clear, transparent, or

colored glass or other transparent material, and' may be spherical, cubical, or'of other regularly shaped geometrical form in which the height substantially equals the diameter and the like.

Upon the surface of the reflex reflecting elements, I preferably provide a coat of varnish or any transparent material for protection against deterioration. This top coat I1 seals the recesses between the reflecting elements I6 and prevents moisture from entering about the reflecting elements and damaging the effectiveness of the completed transfer.

The manner in which the decalcomania A is used is believed obvious. As shown in Figure l, the transfer including the film I2, design I3, protective coating I4, adhesive I5, reflector elements I6, and top coat il is removed from the backing sheet Ill by using a suitable solvent for softening the paste layer II. This transfer is adhered upon the b ase I9 by any suitable means. In some instances the paste layer II is such that this same adhesive may be used for adhering the transfer. In the usual practice, however, a coating of varnish or other adhesive 20 is placed upon the sign base I9, and the film I2 is adhered to the base I9 in this manner.

A slightly different type of decalcomania construction is shown in Figures 2 and 8 of the drawings. The decalcomania B illustrated in these figures is provided with a backing sheet 2| which may be made of any suitable material, but which is usually a flexible paper sheet. A coating of paste 22 is applied to one surface of the backing sheet 2 I, which paste may be softened by a suitable solvent such as water. The reflecting medium 23 is imprinted upon the paste coating 22. This reflecting medium may be of transparent material, or may be of opaque material. In the construction shown, the reecting medium 23 is printed, lithographed, silk screened, or hand painted upon the coating 22, in the form of letters. The reflecting medium is colored, and forms an adhesive base to which the reflex reflecting elements 24 are adhered. A top coat 25 of var-l ments.

nish, lacquer or the like is preferably applied over the reflecting elements 24 to fill the interstices4 between the same, and to seal any cracks, enclosing the elements 24 in a weather-proof seal.

Figure 8 shows the 4decalcomania B after the backing sheet 2| has been removed by softening the paste fllm 22 with a suitable solvent. 'I'he reflecting medium 23 is adheredl to the base 26 of the sign by means of a suitable adhesive coating 21 which may be locally applied just beneath the reflecting medium, or which may be applied over the entire general area of the reflecting medium when removed from ,the backing sheet.

Figure 3 illustrates a clear transfer C which may be coated over designs and indicia to enhance the appearance of the same. The transfer C is provided with a transparent base sheet 29, which may be of any suitable transparent material such as Glassine, cellophane, Kodapak or regenerated cellulose films. Upon the surface of the base sheet 29 I provide a coating 30 of clear varnish, lacquer, or transparent adhesive material.

Embedded in the adhesive coating 30, I provide a layer of reflex reflecting elements 3|. The elements 3| may if desired be sealed in place by a top coat 32 (of varnish, lacquer or the like) which fills the interstices between the elements'and acts to weatherproof the transfer. V l

The clear transfer D is identical with the transfer, The varnish or lacquer film 41 coated witha reflecting medium 49 which may be transparent, or may be opaque ink or the like. i

`Reflex reflecting elements 50 are embedded in the reflecting medium 49 to about half theirl In Figure 10 I disclose a highway sign 52 having letters or figures 53 thereupon. A series of rounded protubernces 54 are formed in the letters 53. As shown in-Figure 11, the sign base 52 is provided with'a covering 55 of paint on both transfer C with the exception that the top coat y is eliminated. In this form of my invention the transparent film 433 is coated with a varnish, lacquer, or clear adhesive 34, and the reflex reflecting elements are embedded therein. This film may be adhered over a design, emblem, or indicia tov improve the appearance of the same, and to make the sign more visible and more legible when light strikes the same.

Figure 9 illustrates the film C applied to a design or base. The sign base 36 is provided with a sides thereof. A transparent film 56 is adhered to the surface ofthe protuberances 54, having reflex reflecting elements 51 embedded therein. A top coating 59 of varnish or lacquer seals the refleeting elements -'from the weather. t In accordance with the patent statutes, I have Idescribed the principles of construction and operation of my reflex reflecting film; and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that these are only illustrative of methods of carrying out my invention, and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing' from the spirit of my invention.

I claim: 1. In combination with a base having a reflective surface, an overlying preformed flexible transparent lenticular optical sheet of the character described, having a multiplicity of small transparent contiguous glass beads partially embedded ina transparent bonding medium to form a uniform surfacelayer thereof, said optical sheet causing reflexive reflection of incident light.

2. In combination with a base having 9, reflec- 'tive surface, an overlying preformed Vflexible design 31 thereon which is coated with a suitable transparent adhesive, varnish, or lacquer coating 39. The film base 29 is adhered to this base 36, insuring a close contact between the sign base 36 and the film base 29.

It has been found that actual connectingconf tact is necessary in order to provide the necessary transparency. When the nlm base 29 together with the adhesive 30 and reflecting elements 3| areplaced upon the base 36, the film C does not appear perfectly transparent. However, when actually adhered thereto, the design 31 may be seen with magnified clearness through the transfer C.

In Figure 5 of the drawings I disclose a design on a base sheet covered with reflex reflecting ele- In this transfer E,fthe .base may be any flexible sheet 40 bearing a design 4| applied in any manner thereto. The sheet 40 may be transparent, as shown, or may be opaque, as in a label or the like. A coat of varnish or lacquer 42 is applied over the design in the form of an adhesive, and the reflex reflecting elements 43 are embedded in the adhesive to substantially half their depth. A top coating of varnish 44 or the like is preferably applied over the reflecting ele-f ments 43. as a protection against the elements. f'/

In Figure 6 of the drawings I provide a de` calcomania transfer having a non-continuous film thereupon. The transfer F is provided with a backing sheet 45 coated with a paste solution 46. A design printed in varnish, lacquer, or other film forming material, indicated by the numeral 41, forms a base for the removable portion oi' the transparent, lenticular optical sheet of the character described, having a flexible transparent film backing, a transparent flexible bead-bonding coat united thereto and a layer of small transparent glass beads partially embedded therein, substantially reaching said backing fllm and spaced by the latter from the reflective surface of the underlying .base, Said optical sheet causing reflexive reflection of incident light.

3. In a sign adapted for outdoor use involving exposure to weathering conditions, a base having a reflective surface forming a design or indicia and an overlying preformed weatherproof flexible transparent optical sheet of the character described, having a flexible transparent film backing, a transparent flexible weatherproof beadbonding coat united thereto and a layer of small transparent glass beads partially embedded therein, substantially reaching said backing film and spaced by -the latter from the surface of the underlying base, said optical sheet causing reflexive reflection of incident light.

MATTI-IEW H. PHIILIPPI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTSl L. Date. 

